Rockies Acquire Guthrie for Hammel, Lindstrom

Jeremy Guthrie has been a very good and very underrated starter the past few years and this trade could be a steal for the Rockies.  They now have a good rotation filled with good young arms and vets and they gave up very little to get the ace of their staff.  He should pitch like an ace too and his numbers shouldn’t change at all, sure moving to Coors may hurt him a little but he can get around that sometimes by ground balls and he’s moving out of the AL East, where the Yankees and Red Sox feasted on him.  Guthrie brings a lot to the table, he’s just flat out good and him and Chacin could be a very good 1-2 combo that flies under the radar next season.  I like this move for both the Rockies, who get a lot better and the Guthrie who should continue doing well.  The Orioles get Jason Hammel, who had a tough go of it last year but is better than that and somewhat underrated and moving away from Coors, a ballpark less suited for him, will help him be better and possibly good as the five man for the O’s in 2012 and Lindstrom is a pretty good reliever and moving should help him reestablish himself as one of the premier setup men in the again and be a success in Baltimore, I think these guys help the O’s but losing Guthrie will hurt a lot in 2012 and possibly beyond.  EDGE: Rockies

Rockies rotation

1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie
2. RHP Jhoulys Chacin
3. LHP Jorge De La Rosa
4. RHP Alex White
5. LHP Drew Pomeranz

O’s rotation

1. LHP Zach Britton
2. RHP Jake Arrieta
3. RHP Wei-Yin Chen
4. RHP Jason Hammel
5. LHP Brian Matusz

Cubs Get Stewart from Rockies

The Cubs got Ian Stewart, who still has a lot of power upside and will hit for power given the chance and the Cubs got to keep Dewitt and Baker who can play second and third.  The Cubs also got Casey Weathers who could be a successful reliever out of their bullpen as soon as next year.  The Rockies got Tyler Colvin, who and a decent start in the majors but has cooled since, playing at Coors Field may turn his whole career around and you could see him being a fourth outfielder, or maybe a platoon or lower end starter who hits .270, plays good defense and gets on a bit.  The Rockies also got DJ LeMahieu. he will be a great utility man with a bit of everything but in 2012 he could help the Rockies out at lot at second base and he have a breakout season, he has talent and is better than Weathers, but Stewart is better than Colvin and should have more success in his new home and both prospects should have good careers and both these teams should get some production and it should work out for both teams.  EDGE: Cubs

Blue Jays Acquire Sergio Santos, Padres Acquire Huston Street

• The Blue Jays traded prospect Nestor Molina, who has a decent to good future to the White Sox for their new closer Sergio Santos.  Santos a good closer who may ne day even be an all-star and he fits well in that role and with the Jays.  He’s not your ideal closer but he gets the job done and he did well minus a few bumps last year.  He will never be the best but he will be good and will be a consistent 30 save pitcher for the Jays.  They got a good pitcher in Santos and he will be a good closer for many years for them, especially in 2012.  The White Sox received Nestor Molina, who has torn up the minor leagues but probably won’t be just that good in the majors, but he could be a pretty good number two or three starter in about three years and will be  a great young talent when he comes up.  EDGE: Blue Jays
• The Padres got Huston Street for a player to be named later, now Street isn’t the best closer but expect a huge 2012 from him moving from Coors Field to PETCO Park.  He will have a few tough times but he’s a solid closer and should do much better as a Padre.  It was a great trade for the Padres and they get the edge.  If he stays in San Diego for a while he could be a good closer for them for a while.

Moves: Santiago, Iannetta, Hernandez

• The Tigers re-signed Ramon Santiago and it’s a great move.  He’s a great utility infielder that has a lot of value.  his defense is above average at either of the double play positions and though he will probably never hit .300 he could go as high as .260 or .270 for the Tigers and he will flash his pop for homers and some RBIs every so often.  He’s a great fit and wouldn’t have done better for anyone else and he should be comfortable and do what he usually does in Detroit and be one of the best back-ups in 2012 and he may even do better and get more playing time for Detroit.  RATING OF SIGNING: 9.1
• The Angels acquired Chris Iannetta in exchange for starter Tyler Chatwood, Chatwood is young but major league ready and could have some ups and downs, especially in Colorado now but expect a few more ups and he’s an okay fit as a Rockie and has a small chance at a sub 4.00 ERA this year but in the long run he’s a three or four starter who has an okay career.  Ianetta could rise his average some in LA but his power may take a small hit before going back up and he may be the Napoli-type trade of the year.  This move puts Jeff Mathis on the bench, where he belongs.  Iannetta will do okay handling pitchers and will have average defense, he’s a great fit and good acquisition.
• The reason the Rockies traded Chris Iannetta is because they signed Ramon Hernandez an older catcher who’s been declining to a two-year deal, a great fit for both sides.  Hernandez can hit seventh a do very good while Wilin Rosario finishes developing and Hernandez still has something left and I expect one surprisingly good year at least from him and good offense and defense through the deal, if there is one thing that is almost guaranteed it will be for him hitting 20 HR each year.

Angels New Line-up

1. SS Erick Aybar
2. 2B Howie Kendrick
3. CF Mike Trout
4. RF Torii Hunter
5. 1B Mike Trumbo
6. DH Bobby Abreu
7. C Chris Iannetta
8. LF Peter Bourjos
9. 3B Alberto Callaspo

Moves: Nathan, Barmes, Wiggington

• The Rangers signed Joe Nathan in what I think is a very good move, he will slowly recover and should become his old self for at least one more year if not two.  This also means Neftali Feliz will be moved to the rotation, which is another good move.  Nathan might need some time but once the season starts to head toward May he should be a great everyday closer and he fits very well with Texas.  He’s always been a fine closer and even if he doesn’t fully live up to his contract he will shot that a lot.  He’s a closer and any other potion relieving may not be good for him.  I expect him to get between 35-40 saves in Texas and not blow that many.  He will be a very productive closer, who pitches fine at home and against the AL West
• The Pirates have signed Clint Barmes to play shortstop everyday, he’s a slight upgrade over Ronny Cedeno.  He’s a solid everyday starter when healthy and he has some power that he could show from time to time in Pittsburgh.  He won’t do anything great but he will be solid.    His average will be the real struggle but he should hit .265-ish and do okay in Pittsburgh.  it’s an okay fit and sign
• Ty Wiggington was traded to the Phillies and he should be a good back-up utility man who can hit and can pair up with Wilson Valdez.  I like this for the Phillies and he could also be a great pinch hitter and provide some nice pop and big hits.  The con is his average and defense but he should survive and be a good bench player in 2012.  The Rockies will receive a player to be named later.  EDGE: Phillies

Can Montero Help the Yankees Past the Sox?, A look at Mesoraco and Rosario

• I think Montero can help if he sees a lot of playing time, not as much as a catcher though.  I think he should only catch couple games or he could hurt the Yanks on defense.  Montero would make a good DH, a lot better than Jones, Posada and Chavez by a bit.  He should hit a lot of homers and may struggle with average and getting on a bit at first but he could get the hang of it and just be really good and a big bat.  He should hit lower in the line-up, but I could see him hitting sixth at some point.  Montero is going to have a good career and hit some big homers and it should start right away.  He’s a real big addition to the Yankees and if he even does two-thirds of what he cn he might help the Yanks win the division, not solely but as an X-factor who has a good month.  He’s a lot better than the Red Sox lone addition, Felix Doubront, who will be good but not as valuable.
• Wilin Rosario was called up by the Rockies and him and Ianetta will make a great platoon  for now but he’s even better.  His defense is really good and he will handle pitchers with ease and he has good skills as far as hitting goes that will be helped a lot by Coors Field.  He will be a top catcher in a couple of years
• Devin Mesoraco is even better than Rosario on defense and will show why right away, he could easily have the biggest September out of the three catchers and be a star and key player in Cincinnati for years.  His defense will be good but his hitting will steal the show, especially the power.  He’s good and very impressive and will be for years.

RANKING THE THREE

1. Jesus Montero
2. Devin Mesoraco
3. Wilin Rosario

All are great though.

A COMPLETELY UNRELATED NOTE I SHOULD HAVE TWEETED BUT DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH CHARACTERS: Matt Joyce should have a very nice September.  I see him flashing some power and really going back to his original approach that will give him a good average.  He’s a good player, he just needs to be consistent and he can and it might start here.  Don’t forget his arm and decent defense either, he may do some good things on defense.  His numbers should look good and I think he’s a pretty good player.

MLB Power Rankings 8/19/11

1. Phillies- The best, no question
2. Red Sox- Really Good, easily better than the Yankees
3. Braves- I can’t find many negatives
4. Yankees- Starters and Injuries a concern but a good team
5. Brewers- Hottest in baseball and Weeks isn’t even back yet
6. Rangers- Ready for another deep postseason run
7. Diamondbacks- Look better than the Giants but not very established yet
8. Giants- Lincecum has been a n ace as has Cain and Vogelsong and Sanchez have been a great supporting cast.  No offense though
9. Tigers- If the starters can come around they are a pretty deep team
10. Rays- The wrong division, one of the most talented teams in the MLB, bright future
11. Cardinals- Berkman, Holliday and Pujols won’t make it easy on Brewers but Garcia struggles are big trouble
12. Indians- Ubaldo will help but just aren’t THAT good
13. Angels- Wells is killing them but Santana is hot and Trumbo is a very talented player
14. White Sox- If Dunn comes around, watch out, Humber being out hurts though
15. Blue Jays- Above average but this isn’t their year to shine
16. Pirates- A .500 team, finally.  If Alvarez comes around and they stay healthy could be much, much more
17. Reds- Could climb up the list and come back very strong
18. Rockies- Another team that had just one bad year and Tulo could light up September
19. Marlins- Should being doing a lot better but dumb moves like demoting Morrison hurt
20. Mets- Not a bad team but not a contender, yet
21. Nationals- Could be next year’s surprise team with Strasburg back, both Zimmerman(n)s and a good year from Werth, don’t forget Harper, at the end of the year, either
22. Twins- Need to come out the gate better but Nishioka is a bust and an easy out, the double play combo needs work
23. Athletics- They look very good and I can’t see them not improving a lot next season
24. Padres- Have some young and promising players but still a few years away
25. Dodgers- Kemp is an MVP candidate and Ethier should come back strong starting this year
26. Mariners- The starters look good and Wells and Carp look like future players but after that it’s hazy
27. Orioles- Not a really good team and still years away from contending
28. Cubs- With Hendry gone it could get better from here
29. Royals- Their outfielders all look good and prospects are bright a better record is ahead
30. Astros- Not much other than Altuve

Analysis: Indians and Ubaldo, Fukudome acquired

JIMENEZ DEAL: Jimenez will be a great addition to the Indians and though he might not be as good as last years first half in Cleveland he’s in a less hitter friendly park and can work with that to lower his ERA and WHIP and start to get more hitters out and become himself again.  He should do best in the AL Central for now and though he will still have some tough outings with Cleveland he should be a true ace and keep them in the race for the rest of the year.  Down he road he should do very good for Cleveland too but to be dominant again and always have an ERA in the 2.00’s he needs to start throwing faster which means he needs to follow through at the end of his wind-up, I’ve heard and seen it and believe it to be true and if he can do that, the Indians made a nice choice in getting him but if not he will still be dominant but nowhere as good and very inconsistent, I think he can turn it around though and with his fastball he can be very big for them, but not as good as Verlander.  The Rockies got Alex White, who will be successful and always has been, he will make a great number two starter in the future and pitching in Colorado will only hurt him a little, I really like this guy and he won’t always have impressive outings but he will always only give up two or three runs and keep his team in the game.  They also got Drew Pomeranz, who keeps getting better by the day and there is nothing to dislike, he;s the future ace and could turn out to be more valuable than Jimenez to the Rockies, but that’s just a possibility.  He has a very bright career ahead though.  Joe Gardner will be a solid middle of the rotation guy who has some impressive years and he looks very good.  Matt McBride is a power hitter, who will be pretty much that in the MLB.  EDGE: Rockies
A look at each teams rotations now (With everybody healthy)
Rockies

1. RHP Jhoulys Chacin- An ace, but a lower tier one
2. LHP Jorge De La Rosa- Still ahs something left
3. RHP Alex White- Reday to step up
4. RHP Jason Hammel- A filler who will do ok sometimes but 4.50-ish ERA
5. RHP Esmil Rogers- Could get better

Indians

1. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez- Duh, he’s going to be good even with some problems
2. RHP Justin Masterson- And rising…Big Time
3. RHP Fausto Carmona- Not the best, not the absolute worst though
4. RHP Josh Tomlin- Overrated but a four starter at heart
5. RHP Carlos Carrasco- He could be more than he is right now and soon

FUKUDOME DEAL: This deal adds depth and injury relief for the Indians.  Sure, Fukudome will do better in Cleveland but he still won’t be good and he really only brings above average defense to the table.  If he hits at the bottom of the order he will do okay and make very few contributions.  The Cubs got Abner Abreu, who will be a power hitter who has potential to be a very good hitter and the Cubs also got Carlton Smith, a so-so pitcher.  EDGE: Cubs

What It Will Take To Get Ubaldo

THE REDS: 1B Yondor Alonso, C Yasmani Grandal, SP Travis Wood
His best fit.  He would do very good there and lower his ERa and could very well pitch the Reds into the postseason.  Ubaldo is great and in Cincinnati he would get even better and limit the NL Central.  He could have a very good first two months for them with amazing numbers.  There is a small chance he would not do as well there though.
THE RED SOX: 1B Lars Anderson, SP Felix Doubrant, 3B Kolbrin Vitek, RP Michael Bowden
If the Sox get him they will be better than the Phillies and he probably would do decent at Fenway and great on the road and with his nasty stuff be great for te Red Sox in the division and him and Lester as co-aces is brilliant, especially with Bekcett and Buchholz behind him.  Decent Fit
THE YANKEES: C Austin Romine, SP Dellin Betances
It’ s a lot and it might not be worth it with CC and if Hughes shows up and Burnett does too.  I think in New York he’d do nice and have mostly good starts but he would be more inconsistent  If he goes there he will get a lot of wins and help a lot, he would probably make the Yankees better than the Red Sox for now.  Okay Fit.
THE RANGERS: 3B Mike Olt, SP Neil Ramirez, OF Engel Beltre
The Rangers could switch out a guy for Tanner Scheppers if the Rockies need him in a deal, but the Rangers do need one more arm for the postseason and Ubaldo will deliver then and I think he could do okay in Texas.  Decent Fit.
THE TIGERS: SP Jacob Turner, 3B Francisco Martinez, 2B Brandon Douglas
It would make their rotation: Verlander, Jimenez, Scherzer, Porcello, Penny and if he can have mostly good starts the rest of the year, he can make the Tigers frontrunners for the division and maybe pennant but if he doesn’t show it could mean a close race.  They would need him to be consistent always for them to get him.  Good Fit.  Could turn everything around at Comerica
BOTTOM LINE: The real Ubaldo is a nasty one and close to the one in 2010’s first half, but he will have some rough spells every once in a while.  He’s an ace that is worth it though.

Rockies Acquire Mark Ellis

Ellis still has a bit left in him and they got him for Bruce Billings, a guy who could have an average or just above average career.  Ellis could completely revive his career in Colorado or just flop but I think he will do pretty good, especially since he has power and he could be a decent second baseman all around.  He’s good for the Rockies and could propel them a bit and he might have a bigger impact than most expect.  I like an Eric Young and Chris Nelson platoon at third base too.  Ellis can hit second or somewhere near the bottom and do a good job.  I expect him improve on his recent seasons and maybe have a late career revival.  Ellis won’t be the best but he could be a nice small part to a Rockies comeback, and he’s a veteran, which is what they need.  He probably won’t have a career year but in Colorado he can do some damage and him and Tulo will make for a decent double play combo who can get the job done a some more.  His best fit is in Colorado and he should do awesome at Coors Field and average and below average on the road, depending on what park he plays in.